Noverre

A Group 1-winning son of Savabeel and Waikato Stud’s newest stallion addition.

Service Fee $10,000 + GST, LFG

An exceptional type, Noverre was a NZ$800,000 yearling purchase for Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale at Karaka, topping the Waikato Stud draft that year.

After finishing second on debut as a 2-year-old over 1200m, he broke his maiden three weeks later. He won the Gr.3 War Decree Stakes (1600m) in late October, before displaying a scintillating burst to go from last to first in the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton, assuring his position on the Waikato Stud roster.

“From the moment I saw him as a yearling, Noverre was a colt we had to have,” said Ellis. “He was as close to perfect as one would see in a yearling. He was an incredible athlete, with a deep girth and quality head.

“Right from day one, he showed us he was special. He put in a freakish effort in the 2000 Guineas, giving them a start at the turn and beating them way he did.

“He’s right up there with the best Te Akau have trained.”

Noverre is the first-named foal out of the Group 3-winning 2-year-old Magic Dancer (Rip Van Winkle), herself a daughter of multiple 2-year-old stakes winner Dazzling Belle (Desert Sun).

Magic Dancer has returned to Savabeel every season since producing Noverre in 2018, such was the impression he left on the team at Waikato Stud as a young colt. Another three colts have followed, including the latest yearling to sell, which made $950,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Magic Dancer is in foal again to the Champion sire.

“We are absolutely delighted to be standing this talented and classy colt,” said Mark Chittick. “It’s pretty special for us to have Noverre join his legendary sire Savabeel on the roster.”

“Savabeel showed speed and precocity as a racehorse, as did his dam, and I believe these were crucial ingredients in his success as a stallion. Noverre has the same profile, as a smart 2-year-old out of a fast dam and grandam, all with their share of juvenile ability,” said Chittick.

“He’s a big, strapping, dark horse, like his sire, and possibly even better-looking than Savabeel. He has let down into an absolutely beautiful horse, both physically and mentally.”

The foals that Noverre has been leaving are incredibly strong, beautiful-headed, dark-coloured horses. We couldn’t be prouder of the progeny that he is stamping.

His first weanlings were offered at NZB’s National Weanling Sale in 2024, headlined by an outstanding son of Alagant Satin, who sold from Curraghmore’s draft for $100,000 to Raptors Thoroughbreds.

In 2025, Noverre’s first yearlings entered with a bang averaging A$350,000 (three or more sold) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with a top price of A$500,000 to our great friends and supporters Michael Freedman of Michael Freedman Racing and Michael Wallace.